The Principles of
Evangelical Religion
by
John Charles Ryle
"But
speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the
head, even Christ:" Ephesians
Let us
hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful
that promised;) Hebrews 10:23
"I
have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." 3 John
1:4
I.
EVANGELICAL PRINCIPLES
"Hold
fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love
which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 1:13
1. The Absolute
Supremacy of Holy Scripture
Show us anything,
plainly written, in that Book, we will receive it, believe it, and submit to
it. Show us anything contrary to that Book, and however specious, plausible,
beautiful and apparently desirable, we will not have it at any price.
2. The Doctrine of
Human Sinfulness and Corruption
Man is radically
diseased. I believe that ignorance of the extent of the Fall,
and of the whole doctrine of original sin, is one grand reason why many can
neither understand, appreciate, nor receive Evangelical Religion.
3. The Work and Office
of our Lord Jesus Christ
The eternal Son of God
is our Representative and Substitute. We maintain that people ought to be
continually warned not to make a Christ of the Church. We hold that nothing
whatever is needed between the soul of man the sinner, and Christ the Saviour, but simple child-like faith.
4. The Inward Work of
the Holy Spirit
We maintain that the
things which need most to be pressed on men's attention are those mighty works
of the Holy Spirit, inward repentance, faith, hope, hatred of sin, and love to God's law. We say that to tell men to take comfort
in their baptism or church membership when these all-important graces are
unknown, is not merely a mistake, but positive cruelty.
5. The Outward and
Visible Work of the Holy Ghost in the Life of Man
We maintain that to
tell a man he is "born of God" or regenerated, while living in
carelessness or sin, is a dangerous delusion. It is the position we assign to
these five points which is one of the grand characteristics of Evangelical
theology. We say boldly that they are first, foremost, chief and principal things
in Christianity.
II.
EVANGELICAL PROTESTATIONS
"Prove
all things; hold fast that which is good." 1 Thessalonians 5:21
1. We protest against
the modern practice of first personifying the Church, then deifying it, and
finally idolising it.
2. We refuse to admit
that Christian Ministers are in any sense sacrificing priests. We find that sacerdotalism or priestcraft has
frequently been the curse of Christianity, and the ruin of true religion.
3. We refuse to admit
that Christ's Sacraments convey grace ex opere operato. We protest against the idea that in baptism the
use of water, in the Name of the Trinity, is invariably and necessarily
accompanied by regeneration. We protest against the theory that the Lord's
Supper is a sacrifice. Above all, we protest against the notion of any local
presence of Christ's body and blood in the Lord's Supper, under the forms of
bread and wine, as "idolatry to be abhorred of all faithful
Christians".
4. We refuse to join
the cry, "No Bishop, no Church". We refuse to believe that bishops
are infallible, or that their words are to be believed when they are not in
harmony with the Scriptures.
5. We maintain that
there can be no real unity without oneness in the faith. We protest against the
idea of unity based on a common Episcopacy, and not on a common belief of
Christ's Gospel. We abhor the very idea of re-union with
III.
EVANGELICAL PERSUASIONS
"Seeing
then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus
the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession."
Hebrews 4:14
1. Substitute anything
for Christ, and the Gospel is totally spoiled!
2. Add anything to
Christ, and the Gospel ceases to be a pure Gospel!
3. Interpose anything
between man and Christ, and man will neglect Christ for the thing interposed!
4. Spoil the
proportions of Christ's Gospel, and you spoil its efficacy!
5. Evangelical
religion must be the Gospel, the whole Gospel and nothing but the Gospel.
IV.
EVANGELICAL PRACTICES
"Watch
ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong" 1Corinthians
1. Take heed that
personal religion is thoroughly and entirely Evangelical. The world is
possessed with a devil of false charity about religion.
2. Do not compromise
Evangelical principles. Watch narrowly new church decorations, new church
music, and a semi-histrionic mode of going through church worship.
3. Observe that they
do no good at all who attempt to mix up Evangelical preaching and a Ritual
ceremonial. The world is never won by trimming and compromising; by facing both
ways, and trying to please all.
4. Look the danger
manfully in the face and fight with the same Word that Cranmer,
Latimer, and Ridley fought with.
5. The path of duty is
clear, plain, and unmistakable.
"But
that which ye have already hold fast till I come." Revelation 2:25
I say
"No surrender! No desertion! No compromise! No disgraceful peace!